Indicator for cooking stoves



Feb. 9, 1943.

C. M. MAYER INDICATOR FOR COOKING STOVES Filed June 5, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 9, 1943. c. M. MAYER INDICATOR FOR COOKING STOVES Filed June 5, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 $9 FIG. 3.

INV ENT OR. 7);.

FIG. 5.

' ATTORNEY.

Feb. 9, 1943. a. M. MAYER INDICATOR FOR COOKING STOVES Filed June 5, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR.

Patented Feb. 9, 1943 INDICATOR FOB COOKING STOVES Charles M. Mayer, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to The Tappen Stove Company, Mansfield, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 5, 1941, Serial No. 396,748

Claims. (Cl. 161-45) This invention relates to a time indicator which is of general application but which is particularly suitable and adapted for use with a cooking stove for providing both a visual and an audible signal for indicating when a certain time has elapsed for which the indicator has been previously set. a

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an indicator of the character described which includes both visua1 and audible means for indicating when a certain time has elapsed and which is also provided with illuminating means which is energized by the setting of the timing mechanism and de-energized when the indicator has moved a predetermined distance determined by the setting of the timing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator of the character described which is adapted to be mounted on a readily visible part of a stove and which is provided with means for indicating in contrasting colors the unexpired portion of time for any given setting of the indicator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an indicator of the character described adapted to be supported by the back splasher of a cooking stove in such a manner as to be readily visible and yet not interfere with the usual cooking operations and which includes a timing indicator which is movable in a straight line and which has associated therewith means for indieating in contrasting colors the unexpired portion of time for any given setting of the indicator and which is also provided with an audible signal actuated by the timing mechanism to signal when a certain predetermined time has elapsed, such indicator being also provided with illuminating means which are energized by the setting of the indicator and tie-energized when a predetermined time has elapsed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide'an indicator having the above described distinguishing features and characteristics and which is well adapted for quantity productiomat comparatively low cost.

Further and more limited objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of my improved indicator, partly in elevation and having certain parts broken away to more clearly disclose the construction; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation, certain parts being broken away; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line l| of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic view partly in rear elevation and partly in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the mechanism for setting the indicator and the illuminating means therefor; and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the timing and indicating mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character I designates a vertically disposed wall which may be either the back splasher of a stove or a wall portion supported thereby. Secured to the rear side of the wall I by any suitable means is a somewhat L-shaped plate 2 having a rearwardly directed portion 3 which receives and supports an electric lamp 4. The wall I has a longitudinally extending window or opening i therein and the plate 2 has a slot 2 disposed over and to the rear of the window in the wall l. The plate 2 has a plurality of inwardly directed brackets 5 which receive and support a glass plate 8 which is disposed behind the slot 2 and retained in place by spring members 2. The glass plate 6 preferably has suitable indicia 6 thereon for indicating in units of time and the rear face is covered by a slotted mask 6 Projecting from the rear face of the plate 2 are a plurality of opp sitely disposed posts 1, 8, 9 and Ill having grooves therein which receive and guide a rack plate H having a longitudinally extending slot 12 therein and provided on one edge thereof with teeth l3. Disposed rearwardly of the rack plate I l is a translucent plate l4 which is secured in place at the top thereof by a clip 15 and which has projections 16 which project through openin s provided in the inwardly directed portion 3.

Disposed rearwardly of and carried by the plate 2 and held in place by hangers l1 and I8 is a spring-operated timing mechanism 19 through which extends a shaft 20 which projects through the plate 2 and has the exterior end thereof threaded and receives thereover a bushing 2|. Carried by the shaft 20 and non-rotatably secured thereto is a gear 22 which meshes with and drives the rack plate I I through the medium of the teeth 13. Secured to the front side of the plate 2 is an escutcheon plate 23 having a window 24 therein disposed opposite the indicator. Frictionally fitting over the bushing 2| and nonrotatably secured thereto is a knob 25 by means of which the shaft 20 may be turned. The opposite ends of the shaft 20 project through the timing mechanism l9 and the shaft is driven in one direction by means of a coil spring 26 which has one end connected with a thimble 25* which is non-rotatably' secured to the shaft. The opposite end of the spring 26 is anchored within a slot provided in a spring barrel or casing 26 which is attached by lugs 26 to the rear face of the plate IQ of the timing mechanism. When the knob 25- on the shaft is rotated in one direction, it tensions the spring 26 and at the same time moves the rack II. The spring, of course, drives the shaft inthe opposite direction. When the knob is turned in either direction the rack II is moved longitudinally. As the rack I I has a slotted opening l2 therein, it will be seen that the rear edge of the slotted opening in the rack moves past the glass window 6 and the translucent member M will be exposed therethrough. The translucent member I4 is of a contrasting color, preferably red, so as to give a visual indication of the setting of the rack. The face of the glass 6 is calibrated in time units such as minutes. As the rack is moved toward 'the left, as seen in Fig. l, I

or to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, the spring 26 will be tensioned and when the knob is released thetspring will drive the shaft 20 in the opposite direction and with it the gear 22 and the rack The shaft 2|] extends through the clock mechanism and is provided with a round portion 21, a fiat portion 28 and a round reduced and portion 29. Carried by the shaft 26 and loosely fitting over the round portion 21 thereof is a crank 30 having thereon an outwardly projecting ear 3|. Fitting non-rotatably over the shaf 21 is a somewhat cup-shaped member 32 having an elongated opening 33 therein. The member 32 is provided with an outwardly projecting ear 34 and an inwardly projecting car 35 disposed as shown in Fig. 6. The member 32 fits non-rotatably over the flattened portion 28 of the shaft 26 and is disposed over and in engagement with the crank 36. Rigidly secured to the wall 36 of the timing mechanism is a member 31 having slots 38 and 39 therein adapted to receive screws 46 and 4| therethrough for securing the same in place. The member 31 has an outwardly project ng portion 42 having the lower end thereof directed downwardly as indicated at 43. Carried by the member 31 isa pin 44 to which is secured an arcuate spring 45 having a bell clapper 46 secured to the outer end thereof. Also carried by the spring 45 and secured to the bell clapper 46 is a latch 41 having a notch 48 therein adapted to engage the nose portion 43 of the projection 42. The member 31 is also provided with an outwardly inclined cam surface 49.

Fitting loosely over one end of the shaft 20 is a pawl 50 having a nose portion 5| adapted to engage a projection 52 on the latch 41. Surrounding the end of the shaft and engaging the pawl 50 and normally urging the latter in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 5, is a coil spring 53. Secured to the wall 36 is an angular bracket 54 which receives and supports a contact point 55 which is connected with one side of an electric circuit. Also carried by the wall 36, and insulated therefrom by an insulating pad 56, is a resilient arm 51 which carries a contact point 58 adapted to engage the contact point 55. The arm 51 is connected with the spring 45 by a fibre pin 51*. The contact point 58 is connected with the opposite side of the line of an electric circuit so that when the points 55 and 58 contact, the circuit to the lamp 4 will be made.

Leading from one end of arm 51 is a wire 59 which leads to one terminal of the lamp and leading from the opposite'terminal of the lamp is a wire 60 which connects with the opposite side of the line. Leading from the contact point 55 audible signal that to its original is a wire 6| which also connects with the opposite side of the line.

When it is desired to set the indicator, the knob 25 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction which moves the rack l toward the left, as

seen in Fig. 1. As the front edge 62 (see Fig. 2)

of the slotted opening in the rack moves past the window, it uncovers the translucent member M which in cooperation with the indicia on the glass plate 6 serves to indicate the setting of the indicator. Upon the first counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 20 the cup-shaped member 32 which is non-rotatably connected w th the shaft is turned. The car 34 engages the pawl 50 and moves it in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 5 until the nose portion 5| thereof engages the projection 52 on the latch 41 and moves it to a position such that the notch 48 engages over the nose portion 43, as illustrated by dot-and-dash lines.

Upon further counter-clockwise movement of the shaft, the pawl 50 rides up the cam surface 49, thus moving it outwardly to permit the car 34 to pass thereunder. The indicator is then turned to the desired position. Upon release of the knob 25, the shaft 20 is driven in the opposite direction or clockwise by the spring 26. Upon the first counter-clockwise movement of the shaft, the pawl 5| turns with the shaft until its tail portion 63 engages the stop 64 on the member 31. As the timing mechanism returns the'shaft position, the car 35 engages the ear 3| tion 65 engages the end of the latch 41 moves it to release the same. The first turning movement of the shaft 20 in a counter-clockwise direction also moves the spring 45 to engage the contact points 55 and 58 which energizes the illuminating means or closes the circuit to the lamp 4. When the latch is released, the spring 45 moves these contact points apart and breaks the circuit to the lamp. The housing which encloses the timing mechanism is provided with a window or opening 66. -Fitting over the timing mechanism is a bell 61 which is held in place by a screw 68. The bell clapper 46 moves through the opening 66 and strikes the bell 61 when the latch 41 is released so as to give an the selected time has elapsed. It will now be clear that I have provided a timing indicator for stoves which will accomplish the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated. One of the features of the invention resides in the provision of an indicator for stoves which is moved longitudinally and which indicates in contrasting colors; which is particularly suited for attachment to an upstanding wall of a stove in such a manner as to be readily visible and yet not interfere with the usual cooking operations and which is provided with illuminating means which is energized only while the indicator is in operation and which also has an audible signal for indicating when a predetermined time has elapsed. It is of course to be understood that the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is to be considered merely as illustrative and not and in a limiting sense as various changes may be and turns the crank 30 until its nose por- I energized by the setting of said timing mechanism and de-energized when said indicator has moved a predetermined distance determined by the setting of said timing mechanism, said timing mechanism including a power shaft, a slotted rack having a contiguous opaque portion driven from said power shaft and movable in a straight line and connected with said visible indicator, a dial positioned adjacent the said visible indicator and calibrated in units of time and having an elongated slot therein disposed over said visible indicator, and a translucent shield disposed between said illuminating means and said rack and cooperating therewith to indicate in contrasting colors the unexpired time for any given setti oi. the indicator.

2. A time indicator comprising a timing mechanism, a visible indicator driven from said timing mechanism, illumination means for said indicator energized by the setting of said timing mechanism and de-energized when said indicator has moved a predetermined:v distance determined by the setting of said timing mechanism, said timing mechanism including a power shalt, a slotted rack having a contiguous opaque portion driven from said power shaft and movable in a straight line and connected with said visible indicator, a dial positioned adjacent the said visible indicator and calibrated in units of time, a translucent member of contrasting color disposed behind said rack for indicating in contrasting colors invunits of time the unexpired time for any given setting of the indicator.

3. A time indicator comprising a timing mechanism, a translucent visible indicator driven from said timing mechanism, illuminating means disposed rearwardly of said indicator energized by the setting of said timing mechanism and deenergized when said indicator has moved a prea slot therein and a contiguous opaque portion, said rack being operatively connected with said drive shaft, a dial disposed over said visible indicator and calibrated in units of time, a translucent member oi. contrasting color disposed rearwardly of said visible indicator for indicating in contrasting colors the unexpired time for any given setting of the indicator.

4. A time indicator comprising a timing mechanism, a visible indicator driven from said timin mechanism, illuminating means for said indicator energized by the setting of said timing mechanism and de-energized when said indicator has moved a predetermined distance determined by the setting 01' said timing mechanism, a dial disposed in front of said visible indicator and calldetermined distance determined by the setting of said timing mechanism, said timing mechanism including a drive shaft and a rack having brated in units oi. time, said indicator including a power shaft and a slotted member having a contiguous opaque portion operatively connected with said power shaft, a translucent member of contrasting color disposed rearwardly or said rack and behind said slot whereby to indicate in contrasting colors the unexpired portion of time for any given setting of the indicator.

5. A time indicator comprising a timing mechanism, a visible indicator driven from said timing mechanism and including a member having a slot therein and a contiguous opaque portion, illuminating means for said indicator energized by the setting of said timing mechanism and deenergized when said indicator has moved a predetermined distance, said timing mechanism including a power shaft for driving said visible indicator, a dial positioned adiacent said visible indicator and having a slot therein disposed over said visible indicator, a translucent member of contrasting color disposed between said illuminating means and visible indicator and cooperating therewith to define a narrow visible band of light and to indicate in contrasting colors the unexpired portion of time for any given setting of the indicator.

CHAS. M. MAYER. 

